Fruit-picking basket



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL VARNER, OF NEIV YORK MILLS, NEW YORK.

FRUIT-PICKING BASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 496,024, dated April25, 1893.

Application led June 28, 1892. Serial No. 438,315. (No model.)

T 0 @ZZ whom, 25 11a/ay concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL CAMPBELL WARNER, of New York Mills, in thecounty of Oneida and State of New York, have invented certain newanduseful Improvements in Fruit- Pickin g Baskets; and I do hereby declarethat the following isa full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon,Which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in baskets having openingbottoms, and more particularly intended for gathering fruit.

In the drawings, Figure l shows a front elevation of my basket. Fig. 2shows an end elevation, with bottom closed. Fig. 3 shows an endelevation with the bottom partially opened in the act of dischargingfruit. Fig. 4 shows a plan view with the bottom closed. Fig. 5 shows abottom view. Fig. 6 shows in perspective, the frame work of the basketin connection with a portion of the basket lining. Fig. 7 shows theframe work of a moditied form of construction of the basket.

The basket consists of suitable frame work composed of vertical wires as2, and horizontal wires as 3, on the inner side of which frame issecured a suitable canvas lining as 4, by sewing on to the wires of theframe.

The top and bottom of the basket are open; the bottom being closed, asshown in Figs. 1 to 6, by a pair of hinged doors, 5 and 6, the door 5being hinged at 5L and 5b to one side of the frame, and the door 6 beinghinged at 6a and 6b to the opposite side of the frame.

The basket is intended to be worn or carried by the person using it,hence is provided with a concave side to adapt it to t against the sideof the person. The opposite side of the basket is preferably made convexto conform to the inner side in order to increase the capacity and addto the general appearance of the basket. Hinged adjacent to the swingingedges of the two bottom pieces, is provided a bottom supporter 7, whichis provided with two pliable prongs or forks v7a and 7b engaging the twoedges of the bottom and extending upward above the upper edge of thebasket and has attached thereto a carrying strap 8 adapted to pass overthe shoulder of the user. The bottom supporter is retained against theend of the basket by an extra wire or retainer 9 forming a slot openingin which the bottom supporter is free to vibrate.

In the wire of the supporter, adjacent to the concave side of thebasket, is provided a double or loop l0, which forms a projection adapt-6o ed to catch over the upper edge of the frame of the basket and lockthe bottom doors in closed position.

11 is an eye formed by a loop in the wire 9, adapted to receive thethumb or finger of the operator, and is located in a position so thatwhen the thumb is insertedrin the eye, the lingers mayreach the arm 7 otthe supporter and throw the projection lO oft from the upper edge of theframe to release the bottom. 'zo A spring l2 is provided in the line ofthe hinges of the bottom part 6, having one of its arms secured at l2 tothe frame of the basket and the other arm secured at l2b to the end ofthe bottom piece and tensioned to close the bottom on to the lower endof the basket; this spring, however, is not essential and may beomitted.

In the modified form of construction, shown in Fig. 7, the bottom isprovided in one piece 8o as a., instead of two, as in the other figures;which bottom is hinged at one side, as shown at b b, to the side andbottom wire on the outside of the basket.

The bottom is supported in closed position by the strap c, which issecured at either end, as shown at d, on the swinging edge of thebottom, and extending upward to the upper edge of the basket, passesthrough suitable retaining loops e, and thence over the shoul- 9o der ofthe user.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows: The basketbeing supported on the person of the user, is held closed by thesupporter and maybe locked by engaging the projections l0 with the upperedge of the basket. The basket may then be iilled with fruit or otherarticles. When it is desired to remove the fruit from the basket theprojections lO are thrown oft from the upper edge roo of the frame, whenby grasping the frame work the basket is supported thereby throwing theweight of the fruit on to the unsupported bottom, which is openedagainst the tension of the spring 12, and the fruit discharged throughthe opening, without bruising or injuring it, if the basket is held inclose proximity to the surface upon which the articles of fruit are tobe deposited. When the fruit has been deposited from the basket, thebottom may be closed by means of the supporter 7 or by the action of thespring 12, and by throwing the projections l over the upper edge of theframe, the basket is again in readiness for use.

In the modified form of construction, shown in Fig. 7, the basket willhold the articles therein, as long as the basket is supported by meansof the strap c which extends down to and is connected with the bottom.

When it is desired to discharge the fruit from the basket the frame maybe raised or` supported independently of the strap, when the fruit inthe basket will cause the bottom to open,al1owin g the articles toescape through the opening.

The frame work of the basket may be made closed so as to dispense withthe canvas covering 4; but I prefer to use the canvas cover, as it isless injurious to the fruit, for the pickingof which the basket isparticular] yadapted.

Other changes and modifications in and from the construction described,may be made without departing from the equivalents of my construction.

What I desire to secure by Letters Patent 1S- l. A fruit basket having aconcave side adapted to fit against the side of the person, a hinged,outwardly opening bottom, and a supporting strap adapted to be passedover the shoulder and connected with and supporting the swinging edge ofthe bottom,substan tially as set forth.

2. The combination in a basket of a frame therefor, open at the lowerend, a swinging bottom hinged to one side of the frame,a bottomsupporter secured to the swinging edge of the vbottom and having alocking projection adapted to be engaged with the frame work of thebasket and secure the bottom in closed position,thesupporter extendingabove the frame work of the basket and furnishing handles or points ofattachment for a supporting strap or belt, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a basket of a frame work therefor open at thelower end, and a two part hinged bottom, each part being hinged at itsouter side to the frame work; a forked bottom supporter engaging each ofthe parts of the bottom and extending above the frame work, providinghandle or means of attachment for a supporting strap and having l alocking projection adapted to engage the upper edge of the basket andlock the bottom in closed position, substantially as set forth. 4. Thecombination in a basketof a frame work forming the body of the basketand being open at its lower end and a two part bottom hinged at itsouter edges to the frame work and adapted to open apart, a bottomsupporter havingtwo prongs or parts, adapted to engage each of the partsof the bottom extending above the frame work of the basket, and having alocking projection adapted to be engaged with the basket and providinghandles or means of supporting the basket above the frame Work, and aretaining wire for securing the supporter against the end of the basketand allowing it to be vibrated to throw the locking projection into and'out of engagement, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have aiixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL WARNER. Witnesses:

GEORGE C. CARTER, MARY A. KELLER.

